The Strategic Communicator Podcast with Dan Farkas

In this episode of 'Strategic Communicator with Dan Farkas on the Marketing Podcast Network, Dan sits down with Sarah Evans, partner and head of PR at Zen Media, to discuss the evolving role of AI in strategic communication. Sarah shares her insights on the integration of AI tools like ChatGPT for overcoming writer's block and enhancing creativity. She then discusses the importance of maintaining the human element in PR, especially as more AI-generated content becomes prevalent. They delve into the trust and credibility issues surrounding AI-generated content and explore strategies for PR agencies to adopt AI into their workflow effectively. Sarah also touches on the implications for education and the need for future PR professionals to blend technical skills with traditional strategic abilities. (00:00) Introduction and Guest Welcome (02:28) Balancing Creativity and Technology in PR (03:53) The Role of AI in Strategic Communication (07:07 )Generative AI and Content Strategy (09:02) Navigating the Future of PR with AI (23:13) The Importance of Human Relationships in PR (30:19) Five Questions with Sarah Evans https://www.linkedin.com/in/prsarahevans/ https://zenmedia.com https://passpr.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of 'Strategic Communicator with Dan Farkas' on the Marketing Podcast Network, Dan speaks with Heathere Evans about leadership and self-regulation. Heathere, a professional coach and author of 'The Success Mindset: 12 Strategies to Unlock Your Full Potential for Life and Leadership,' shares insights from her personal journey and the development of her book. She delves into the impact of mindset on leadership, highlighting the importance of self-awareness, overcoming self-sabotage, and maintaining physical and mental well-being. We then highlight practical strategies for leaders to manage stress, foster effective communication, and create psychologically safe environments. The conversation then explores the role of technology and journaling in achieving a balanced and successful mindset. 01:25 Heathere Evans' Journey to Writing 'The Success Mindset' 06:18 Overcoming Self-Sabotage and Stress 08:41 The Impact of Technology on Mindset 11:34 Strategies for Effective Leadership 23:18 The Role of Diet and Exercise in Success 25:31 The Power of Journaling and Inner Conversation 28:18 Five Questions Book Recommendations: - 'Power Versus Force' 'The Success Mindset: 12 Strategies to Unlock Your Full Potential for Life and Leadership' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of 'Strategic Communicator with Dan Farkas, Dan talks to Katlin Hall about the intersection of improvisation and business communication. Katlin, who has extensive experience with Second City, shares her journey from sales to teaching improv-based communication skills to various organizations. They discuss how improv fosters better listening, authenticity, and adaptability in both corporate and day-to-day settings. Katlin also shares personal anecdotes, tips for overcoming nervousness, and why having fun and being present are vital for success. 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 02:24 Katlin's Journey with Second City 04:29 Improv in Business 06:55 The Power of Listening and Authenticity 12:52 Engaging the Introverted 18:25 Adapting and Going with the Flow 24:31 Five Questions with Katlin Hall Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of 'Strategic Communicator with Dan Farkas' on the Marketing Podcast Network, host Dan Farkas welcomes Danaka Porter, an expert in supply chain, project management, and neuroscience. They discuss the importance of communication within organizations, and how transparency and collaboration across departments is much easier to say than to do. Danaka helps communicators understand the pitfalls of information hoarding and the benefits of a holistic approach to supply chain and project management. 00:40 Supply Chain and Project Management Insights 01:52 The Importance of Communication 02:55 Challenges in Communication and Collaboration 05:51 Understanding Supply Chain Beyond Procurement 07:17 Project Management for Communicators 09:10 Effective Information Sharing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Public speaking is hard. Ruth Milligan is on a mission to make it easier. She co-authored 'The Motivated Speaker: Six Principles to Unlock Your Communication Potential.' They discuss the core principles of effective communication, including storytelling, neuroscience, and confidence. Ruth explains the importance of forming good habits, seeking constructive feedback, and understanding the stress response in communication. They also explore various communication genres, the importance of audience engagement, and offer practical advice for enhancing public speaking skills. 01:29 The Motivated Speaker: Key Concepts 03:44 The Importance of Feedback and Practice 07:02 Overcoming the Fear of Listening to Yourself 10:14 Effective Communication Techniques 15:25 Managing Different Speaking Formats 18:14 Five Questions with Ruth Milligan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Melissa Fors Shackleford is a healthcare executive with 25 years of experience. She highlights the paramount importance of person-centered language in healthcare communication and the need for all of us prioritize individuals over generic terms. No valued customer. Melissa also shares insights on how to overcome stigma in mental health and substance use disorder communications through simple, strategic, and inclusive language and imagery 00:00 Welcome to the Strategic Communicator Podcast 00:09 The Importance of Person-Centered Language in Communication 00:34 Melissa Shackleford: A Healthcare Communication Expert 01:32 The Shift to Consumer-Driven Healthcare and Its Challenges 04:16 Addressing Stigma in Healthcare Communication 06:24 The Role of Language and Imagery in Reducing Healthcare Stigma 11:44 Inclusive Marketing and Its Impact on Healthcare 15:53 The Intersection of DEI and Healthcare Communication 20:37 Personal Insights and the Future of Inclusive Marketing 24:19 Five Questions with Melissa Shackleford Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Becky Volmer is a yoga teacher, proud corporate dropout, sober mom, and stepmom to four teenagers. Her book "You Are Not Stuck" empowers people to break the cycles that cause heartache and use soul-guided choices to transform fear into freedom. We also discuss why so many journalists and strategic communicators burn out and what leaders and friends can do to help. https://www.youarenotstuck.com/book/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/beckyvollmer/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ken Jacobs, PCC, CPC, an experienced consultant and certified coach, is the principal of Jacobs Consulting & Executive Coaching. For 10 years, his firm has helped agencies grow and manage business, improve client service and relationships, and enhance staff performance. It does so via consulting and training. In addition, through his executive coaching, he has helped leaders from C-suite executives to managers, achieve and surpass their goals. In this episode, he shares how we can coach and improve leadership skills for anyone with any level of experience. He also discusses how we can become more focused in offering better feedback, why delegation is a great skill, and what people should do now to grow their business over the next three months. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jessica Broome owns Southpaw Insights, a leading team of women-led researchers who have worked with some of the world's top brands. Jessica has a Ph.D. from Michigan. She's also worked in the Peace Corps and interviewed people ranging from prison inmates to soccer moms. In this episode, Jessie explains why strategic communicators need to dig better, how to make survey people want to take, and how to overcome the rift between budget and baseline data collection. We also discuss children's books that still resonate, the best place to find oxtail ravioli, and how Michigan ended up on in the Eastern Time Zone. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bill Shory works two blocks from where a mass shooting occurred in Louisville Kentucky. In this episode, he talks about how this tragedy impacted his strategic communication firm, clients, and community. Bill also discusses his experience as a news director and how strategic communicators can help journalists tell more accurate and impactful stories in times of crisis. There's no upbeat musical open, no five questions, no chuckles and old TV news stories. There are practical ways any communicator can help their clients and community during a time of need. Whitney/Strong offers resources for solutions-oriented media coverage following Nashville Shooting Common Ground Legislation Whitney/Strong successfully lobbied Congress to pass the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act in 2022, a landmark reform that included enhanced background checks, increased penalties for criminal activity with firearms, and other safeguards. The BSCA also included federal funding for states to implement crisis intervention laws – which temporarily transfer firearms away from people experiencing a mental health crisis and are currently a threat to themselves or others. 19 states currently have some form of these laws. Despite that funding and support from both parties, lawmakers in Whitney’s home state of Kentucky did not take up the Crisis Aversion and Rights Retention bill in this year’s legislative session. Whitney/Strong is currently urging citizens to contact their lawmakers urging them to give the bill a hearing in the coming months, in hopes of passage next year. In Ohio, Republican State Senator Matt Dolan proposed Senate Bill 357 in the 2022 session, which focused on enhanced safeguards around gun purchases. Suicide prevention The vast majority of mass shooters are suicidal, which makes it critically important to recognize warning signs and to be prepared to help someone in crisis gain access to expert care. Whitney/Strong provides suicide prevention training and research, as do many other community organizations. Safety Trainings Schools should continually review and enhance their school safety prevention and reactionary plans. Sandy Hook Promise offers prevention resources to help. Whitney/Strong offers regular “Save-a-Life” trainings, which include training to use “Stop the Bleed” kits in an emergency, as well as other instruction around gun safety. Most school shooters use a gun they have ready access to. Safe storage is a key strategy for preventing mass shootings, and garners widespread support among the general public and gun owners. Whitney/Strong distributes gun locks and gun safety literature provided by the National Shooting Sports Foundation. Other tips for journalists This survey reveals a number of tactics that enjoy wide public support – exactly the kinds of solutions your viewers are asking for. Studies have shown that notoriety is a primary motivator for mass shooters. As a result, most news organizations now have policies in place limiting the use of a shooter’s name and photo, especially as time passes. The same holds true for video. Surveillance and bodycam video can reveal important facts about a shooting – but repeated showings will certainly traumatize survivors and inspires copycats. In addition to dropping video once its informational value has passed, remember to put processes in place to make sure it doesn’t accidentally resurface during follow-up coverage. Journalists should educate themselves on firearms, and be precise in their language (here’s one excellent primer). Sloppiness or outright inaccuracy with gun terminology immediately turns off gun owners, and reinforces perceptions of biased coverage. https://www.fdlcomms.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7051584853510668288?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jenna Cooper, APR, is a seasoned strategic communications professional, executive coach, and frequent speaker on crisis communications, strategic planning, and public speaking. Her nose for news transplanted her in television broadcast markets across the country including Boise, Austin, Atlanta, and Seattle. In this episode, Jenna discusses how journalism skills can empower high-profile leaders to better convey their messages in good times and bad. She also offers insights on the best way to work with reporters under deadline and how to build relationships that prevent problems from morphing into a crisis. We close out with a conversation about books, infused cocktails, and getting kids to do the dishes. https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennacooperapr/ https://c3-collective.com/ One Small Step Can Change Your Life: The Kaizen Way https://passpr.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chicago AF is a free nonprofit sober community in the Chicago area. Kerry Tuttle had the task of creating awareness of this new endeavor in one of the world's largest media markets. Her experience can help any business starting to get their marketing and strategic communication off the ground. Kerry also discusses the connection between sobriety and DEI and why the non-alcoholic movement is something every brand must consider. Podcast Links: https://www.braverecoverycoaching.com/chicago-af https://www.amazon.com/We-Are-Luckiest-Surprising-Magic/dp/160868654X https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerrytuttle/ Learn more about Dan's work: http://www.passpr.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How can a communicator ensure their work is something a client or company can't live without in 2023? Ken Jacobs has answered these questions for decades. Currently the principal of Jacobs Consulting & Executive Coaching, Ken helps empower PR and communications leaders and executives to become more effective leaders via executive coaching. His answer....5-star client service. This episode offers insights on how to grow business, manage for profitability, improve client service, and enhance team performance. We also talk venn diagrams, Springsteen, and some reading recommendations. https://www.jacobscomm.com/ https://www.jacobscomm.com/speaking/ https://www.prsa.org/event/2023/01/18/default-calendar/how-to-evolve-your-leadership-style-so-people-will-follow-you-despite-any-uncertainty-wbnr2301 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices